There are institutions of tertiary education at university and non-university level. These higher education institutions and universities offer undergraduate and postgraduate programmes.

Public Universities

These universities are funded by the Cyprus government and are multi-faculty higher education institutions that are composed of several departments. These universities are independent and autonomous

The University of Cyprus

Open University of Cyprus

Cyprus University of Technology

Private Universities

The private universities in Cyprus are founded as per law 109 (I) of 2005. These universities are set up and funded by non-governmental institutions.

Following are the private universities operating in Cyprus:

European University Cyprus

Frederick University Cyprus

University of Nicosia Cyprus

University of Cyprus (UCY)

Neapolis University Paphos (NUP)

Public Institutions of Tertiary Education

The Government of Cyprus manages the public institutions of tertiary education. These institutions are overseen by the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Tourism, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Justice and Public Order, Ministry of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environment, and Ministry of Labour and Social Insurance. These institutions offer programmes in professional and technical fields to meet the demands of the labour market. Higher diploma is conferred to students who successfully complete the programme.

Following are the public institutions of tertiary education in Cyprus:

Mediterranean Institute of Management (MIM): This is the only public non-university level institution of tertiary education in Cyprus. This institution provides a 1-year postgraduate diploma in Public Administration and business Administration.

Private Institutions of Tertiary Education

These institutions are registered with the Ministry of Education and Culture of the Republic of Cyprus. These institutions provide vocational and academic study programmes at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels. The study levels are:

Higher Education Qualifications

First Cycle Programme

First cycle programme comprises of short cycle and bachelor degree programmes.

Short Cycle Programme

Short-cycle study programmes are provided at the undergraduate level by 3 public and 5 private non-university level institutions of higher education. These programmes are as per the needs of the labour market, and provide practical as well as theoretical education and training.

Following are the short cycle programmes:

Certificate: The courses leading to certificate last for 1 year.

Diploma: The duration of the diploma courses in 2 years.

Higher diploma: The duration of the courses leading to higher diploma is 3 years.

Postgraduate Studies

Master’s Degree

Public as well as private universities and non-university level private institutions of higher education provides master’s degree programmes.

Students must hold a bachelor’s degree in order to take admission into the Master degree programme. This degree programme requires completion of a courses and a thesis. Students are required to defend their thesis in an oral examination. Students can study master degree programme either on a full-time basis or part-time.

Duration: 1-2 years

Semesters: 3-4

ECTS: 90-120 credits

Certificate awarded: MA or MSc

Doctorate/PhD Studies

Students must hold a master’s degree in order to take admission into the doctorate programme. Students are required to defend and submit a thesis in order to complete the doctoral studies. The doctorate programmes comprises of taught and thesis part.